i have had my road bike fitted twice. i still get pain in my arms and hands and also numbness.

does anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be? i really dont want to give it up.

08-14-08, 11:51 AM

Zan

numbness... in the arms?

08-14-08, 11:53 AM

deerocker

numbness

only in hands.

08-14-08, 11:54 AM

sojourn

How long have you been cycling?
How often do you ride/how many miles?
Do you wear gloves?
What bike do you ride?
How tall are you?
What's your bike size?
Show us a sideview pic of you riding in the drops and on the hoods.
DON'T GIVE UP!

08-14-08, 12:28 PM

xenologer

Probably putting too much weight on your hands. Try raising the handlebars for a more upright riding position.

08-14-08, 12:32 PM

jsmithepa

I say for the upteen time, STOP HOLDING ON TO THE BAR FOR DEAR LIFE. And change positions. Another reason why drop bars are SUPERIOR than flat (straight) bars.

08-14-08, 01:56 PM

sdastroguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmithepa

I say for the upteen time, STOP HOLDING ON TO THE BAR FOR DEAR LIFE. And change positions. Another reason why drop bars are SUPERIOR than flat (straight) bars.

I'm must be missing something. Where did it say he had flat bars? He's on a road bike so a reasonable assumption might be that he already has drop bars.

08-14-08, 03:03 PM

bkaapcke

Think LWB recumbent. bk

08-14-08, 03:32 PM

Doug5150

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerocker

i have had my road bike fitted twice. i still get pain in my arms and hands and also numbness.

does anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be? i really dont want to give it up.

If you don't want to give that particular bike up, I dunno what to tell you.

If you just don't want to give up riding altogether, then there are options, as far as other bicycles which are far less likely to cause such pain.

Recumbents have their disadvantages, but they give absolutely the best comfort there is. You really don't know how much effort is involved in sitting hunched over on a "regular" bike, until you ride a bike that doesn't require all that effort.

Alternately there are semi-recumbent bikes, such as from RANS, like the Zenetic (needs different handlebars, a lot of people like the dove/moustache's). The comfort of these is not quite as good as a recumbent, but it is still a lot better than a regular bike (you won't need padded shorts, for example).
~

08-14-08, 04:19 PM

Steve_Reno

Ok missing a lot here... How long have you been riding this bike? Are you wearing a backpack? Commuting or just riding. Do you really think the bike is fitted correctly? 2nd opinion from another LBS.

Yeah I get the same thing too on my urban bike and my road bike. Quickest relief for me is get upright and and hold the bar with your fingers lightly wrapped around the bars, get your palms off of it. The numbness should go in a minute or two at the most.

I have a weak upper body and am still trying to isolate the exact cause, not sure if I am tensing up shoulder blades or traps area or if nerves are getting pinched in my neck. It is definitely worse when my backpack is heavier. I really try to watch my posture not allowing my torso to "slip through" or down out of my shoulders.

KEEP YOUR BIKE, this will happen when you ride other bikes as well. If you love riding you'll figure out a way to fix or deal with it.